In the old days, entertainers, especially comedians, were super important.
When life got tough with problems like wars or tough times, comedians made people laugh. They showed us the silly side of life, making us forget our worries for a while.
This may sound cliché but it’s true, laughter is simply the best medicine, even to the hardest to heal wounds.
The 20th century witnessed the rise of numerous hilarious entertainers.
To name a few, there’s Stephen Fry, Robin Williams, and Betty White leaving audiences in stitches.
However, among these comedic giants, Red Skelton emerged as one of the most beloved figures for nearly four decades.
A talented gentleman who was born over a century ago, Red Skelton epitomized the essence of entertainment.
His career didn’t revolve around comedy, he also did great in radio shows, vaudeville acts, and even burlesque performances.
Wherever Skelton showcased his talents, he left audiences beaming with his cheerful jokes and irresistible personality.
This was particularly evident when he launched ‘The Red Skelton Show,’ which later evolved into ‘The Red Skelton Hour.’
His hit television series brought Skelton into countless living rooms across the country.
It solidified his status as a household favorite for both young and old listeners after over 20 years of entertaining.
In 1988, the Screen Actors Guild gave Red an award for his whole life’s work, and the next year, he was put into the International Clown Hall of Fame.
After his TV show ended, Red went back to performing live.
He played in nightclubs, casinos, and big places like Carnegie Hall.
Red did more than just perform, though. He wrote lots of short stories and essays and made over 5,000 songs.
Some famous musicians even recorded his songs.
Also, some paintings Red made of clowns have been sold for a lot of money, up to $80,000 at auctions.
Red was not your typical comedian.
For many, it was Skelton’s broad appeal that set him apart from his contemporaries.
While certain comedians catered exclusively to adults, Skelton provided a family-friendly alternative, endearing himself to audiences of all ages.
Consequently, it comes as no surprise that many individuals who lived through the 20th century held a deep admiration for Skelton as he aged gracefully.
Whenever he graced the stage, he was met with open arms and standing ovations, a testament to his enduring popularity and universal appeal.
The only time when he made people cry.
In 1997, Red passed away from pneumonia at his home in Rancho Mirage, California.
Now, IHS and the Red Skelton Museum Foundation are working together to keep Red’s memory alive.
The Foundation opened the Red Skelton Museum of American Comedy in 2013 at Vincennes University.
They gave a lot of Red’s stuff to IHS so that researchers could look at it and learn from it.
This collection called the Red Skelton Research Archive, has tons of things like pictures, letters, songs, scripts, and recordings.
It gives us a special look into who Red Skelton was, both as a famous entertainer and as a regular person.
Witness Red Skelton’s timeless humor and see how he captivated audiences below!
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